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51 Dodge B1 Build #2699530
09/21/19 02:12 PM
09/21/19 02:12 PM
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belv2vert66 Offline OP
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So I picked this really solid 51 dodge earlier this year. I am handy guy and pretty mechanical but my fabrication skills are minimal. I decided to use a code 504 kit to install the 51 body on an S10 rame. They have identical 108 inch wheelbases. The track width of the S10 is narrower but I have always liked the look of a somewhat narrow track width under wide fenders. To each his own I guess. To my knowledge Code 504 is the only one offering a Dodge kit.

51 dodge 4.jpg
Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: belv2vert66] #2699533
09/21/19 02:24 PM
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Just a couple progress pics as I go through this build. The S10 frame is easy enough to find. The kit instructions are "ok" but it did take a few calls to them for clarification on a few things. Prepping the frame was easy but slow for me. They do have a good video for tips on prepping the donor frame. All the S10 cross members come out and are replaced by the new ones supplied in the kit. I am steam cleaning the used parts as I go, but my plan is to take it all back apart to paint the frame and rebuild the suspension etc once I am through mock up. I am not planning to do any paint work to the body other than the inside of the cab. I'll install all new glass, window seals weather stripping sound deadener vintage air etc so the inside will be clean and comfortable.

51 Dodge S10 frame bare 1.jpg51 Dodge S10 frame bare 2.jpg
Last edited by belv2vert66; 09/21/19 02:33 PM.
Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: belv2vert66] #2699536
09/21/19 02:40 PM
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Not the greatest pics but a few shots of the kit installed on the frame. I am working on mocking up the engine and trans now. 360 magnum converted to a carb and an A500 RH overdrive trans.

51 Dodge S10 frame kit installed 1.jpg51 Dodge S10 frame kit installed 2.jpg
Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: belv2vert66] #2699541
09/21/19 03:14 PM
09/21/19 03:14 PM
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What was wrong with the Dodge frame?

- EM

Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: earlymopar] #2699544
09/21/19 03:23 PM
09/21/19 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by earlymopar
What was wrong with the Dodge frame?

- EM


Nothing......in fact I am on the fence as to whether knowing what I know now, if I wouldn't have gone with a Mustang II or possibly a clip on the original frame.......My intial thought was this is a good option for those who can't weld all that great since other than grinding off all the old S10 brackets and such it is a bolt on deal.

Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: belv2vert66] #2699682
09/21/19 11:19 PM
09/21/19 11:19 PM
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Freeport IL USA
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Looks like a whole lot of work! There is a lot of steel in the "kit", do you have a link for it, or maybe a price on what it costs to buy a "bolt on crossmember kit"?
Are you going to keep the GM wheel bolt pattern?

At this point, my Dakota 4x4 chassis looks really good under my 49 Dodge project. Gene

Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: poorboy] #2699697
09/22/19 12:08 AM
09/22/19 12:08 AM
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Looks like it's about $1300 for the kit to put a chevy frame under the Dodge.

http://www.code504.com/1948-1956-dodge-truck-bolt-on-s-10-chassis-conversion-kit-hot-rod-style/

It looks like you have a good solid truck.

I see no benefit in switching to the narrower track width chevy verses modifying the original frame.

Did you keep the original frame ?

Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: Grizzly69] #2699731
09/22/19 08:14 AM
09/22/19 08:14 AM
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Might be the angle on that first pic but it looks like the rear wheel is not centered up in the opening. I take it that's on the stock frame?

Looks like a neat project for a more modern suspension and braking system, I am farting about with a 51 Plymouth and some stock parts are getting hard to fine, like distributor caps, so it makes sense in some cases to update to something newer.

Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: Sniper] #2700136
09/23/19 01:24 PM
09/23/19 01:24 PM
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Pic of the truck is on the stock frame. It has been a fun project but I am so far on the fence as to whether the juice is worth the squeeze. I will say the kit is very complete and very well engineered. All the parts are heavy and the fabrication details are spot on..............I am at a stand still for now looking for an A500 to put behind the 360 and get it mocked up.

Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: belv2vert66] #2700228
09/23/19 07:21 PM
09/23/19 07:21 PM
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Saw this one at a Chrysler Product Owners Club show in Clarksville, MD, this past Saturday.

20190921_153017_kindlephoto-727123374.jpg
Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: belv2vert66] #2700254
09/23/19 08:13 PM
09/23/19 08:13 PM
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Any reason your going with an A500 instead of an A515? The A500 would have mostly been out of a Dakota, where the A515 could have come out of a full sized truck, I doubt the V6 trans would last long behind a 5.9. I suspect there are more A515s available then the 500 but n these parts, it appears most Dodge trucks were 4x4. None of them are cheap to buy rebuilt or get rebuilt. Gene

Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: poorboy] #2700416
09/24/19 11:16 AM
09/24/19 11:16 AM
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don't you mean an A518 [727 type] gene ?
the A500 [904 type] would more than likely stand up fine behind a 360 [5.9], especially if it came to just normal driving.
meaning no dragstrip action or all the time burnouts.
just my opinion of course.
you have WAY more experience with these drivetrains than i will ever have ! bow

the OP project looks like a fun build on a solid truck. up
beer

Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: moparx] #2700592
09/24/19 08:43 PM
09/24/19 08:43 PM
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Yep, meant an A518. Too many numbers running through my head these days I guess.

Guess I'm wondering how the new transmissions are holding up to the bigger CI, or with the added power boosters available these days.
Back in my younger days, a healthy 340 could melt down a 904 pretty quickly, I killed 3 904s behind a 318 with a small cam in a light weight car with no more then full throttle starts, in drive no less, no n drops or anything I would have considered abusive, but that was 25 years ago.

Most of the stuff I've done anything with lately has been with manual transmissions. But when I put a 5.9 (360) EFI into the 39 Dodge pickup, I used what was suppose to be a good RE46, it didn't make it 6 months. Somewhere along the way, that trans ingested water, its sitting here waiting for a trans rebuild. The local guy wants $1200 if I carry it in and out.

I am currently building a 49 Dodge pickup, it will be on a Dakota 4x4 chassis. I would like to put a 5.2 with an auto behind it (this trans would be rebuilt), but haven't found the drive train I'm looking for yet.
I have a good 3.9 Magnum with what was a good but getting tired 4x4 version of a 904 sitting because the frame rusted in two. I drove that truck for 6-7 years. I have considered having that trans rebuilt to handle a 5.2, but given the past experience with the 904 (or most auto trans), I'm a bit concerned. The 49 will be my daily driver. Gene

Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: belv2vert66] #2700690
09/25/19 08:56 AM
09/25/19 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by belv2vert66
Pic of the truck is on the stock frame. It has been a fun project but I am so far on the fence as to whether the juice is worth the squeeze. I will say the kit is very complete and very well engineered. All the parts are heavy and the fabrication details are spot on..............I am at a stand still for now looking for an A500 to put behind the 360 and get it mocked up.


I have a built up 727 with a gear vendor I might would allow to leave my care , trans had limited miles, fresh cope rebuild .. the GV is low miles .. all good stuff


The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.Proverbs 18:6
Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: bigdad] #2700866
09/25/19 05:15 PM
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I'm not too worried about the A500 in a stock build. No doubt the A518 is a stronger transmission. I just don't need it.

I did get in touch with Tranz Tech in Dubuque and they are going to build me an A500 for the 51...........So I am still on hold for a few weeks. I will probably get to work on getting the body off the old frame

Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: belv2vert66] #2701820
09/28/19 07:54 PM
09/28/19 07:54 PM
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Seems to me that installing a Dak clip would be easier and alot cheaper....to each his own.


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Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: wayfarer] #2702083
09/29/19 08:08 PM
09/29/19 08:08 PM
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The op said his frame was good, but he still has the original rear axle that needs to be update, not that he would want to use the donor Dakota rear axle.
With his original frame, his original box floor would still work if it was any good. A Dakota frame raises the box floor up about 6" - 8" making a pretty shallow box if any rear work will be done with the finished truck. The box sides work with a Dakota rear frame. A guy would still have to splice the two frames together. The difference in the amount of work isn't much different then using the full Dakota frame. Gene

Re: 51 Dodge B1 Build [Re: wayfarer] #2702628
10/01/19 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by wayfarer
Seems to me that installing a Dak clip would be easier and alot cheaper....to each his own.


I think it "might" be for a good fabricator. I just don't have the skills to do it at a level that would satisfy my critique. Don't get me wrong, I am a pretty handy guy.

The kit is well engineered and bolts on. I don't have my instructions with me but I believe it leaves the wood in the bed at the original level.

Project is on hold for a few more weeks while I go on vacation and wait for the A500 to be built. I need to get a rear end as well.







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